2024 Women to Watch
This year we showcase over 80 South Australian women to watch throughout the year. From business, to careers, arts to science. This year’s selected women highlight the depth and diversity of the women in our state and also the vast array of opportunities to develop a business or career in South Australia. Find our more about our inaugural Women to Watch initiative here.
My name is Kristen, I am a card designer, writer and author. I am the sole owner of my business and live with my husband in Adelaide. I have been in business for about 6 years.
My business stands for uniqueness, personalisation and customisation. I have many standard orders both local and interstate, I have also published my first book and been featured in a number of books/magazines with my affirmations and had my business promoted on national television.
I set high expectations on myself, and it shows through the cards I make and the affirmations I write.
// Favourite inspirational quote
I can do anything, I control my own life, I believe in myself, this is my life!
// Let’s get to know you
I am 56 years old, and live in Adelaide with my husband. My path has not been an easy path to get to where I am today, I am a survivor of Domestic Violence from my first marriage and have had many struggles with bullying, control, manipulation, self-worth and having a voice. After hitting rock bottom from DV, I really did not know where my life would lead but I managed to pick myself back up, working for a cosmetic business for 9 years. I then started making handmade cards as a hobby, initially to escape reality for just a little while. It was during this time that I realised I could do this as a business and be good at it, so this is what I did. I set myself a goal to try and I am still here, as a successful business, 6 years on.
You may be thinking to be successful you have to earn millions, but I do not see it that way, I am successful, surviving DV, giving my business a go and chasing my goals and my dreams. This is my success. Back in 2020 when the pandemic hit, I started writing, words in my head becoming phrases and then affirmations. I wrote over 100 affirmations and soon after this, decided to write a book that was just published last year, early 2023. My book has taken me to places I never dreamed, selling over 150 copies and being accepted into 15 schools within Australia and a public library as well as being featured in a number of books and magazines. My hope is to get into even more schools and libraries to continue to help many more with their well-being. My mindset has changed from being a curled-up ball in the corner constantly, to now be happy and healthy and positive. My book has changed my life and is changing others lives too. Affirmations are so powerful and you can achieve anything with them by your side.
// What makes you a Woman to Watch for 2024?
Since my affirmation book being published early last year, it has changed my life and changed the lives of so many. It has been accepted into 15 schools within Australia, helping students with their well-being, keeping a positive mindset and allowing them to feel more confident and to speak out against bullies both at school and on social media. With so many challenges in this world, it is a valuable resource that students are benefiting from. As well as my book being accepted into schools, it has also been purchased by a public library in Adelaide, giving further opportunities for people who borrow it to live a happier and healthier life, building their confidence and keeping a positive mindset. My affirmation book has been featured in a number of books and magazines, sharing my story of DV and how affirmations have helped me with my healing and empowerment.
I wrote my book as a way to heal myself, I never believed it would be able to help so many others too. My book is now on a number of library data bases, giving libraries opportunities to purchase my book for their borrowers both in Australia and New Zealand. I have also donated a number of books to organisations and events, it was never about the profit I make from my books and all about helping as many as I can. I love I am doing so much to help others.
// What would being a Woman to Watch mean for you?
I have certainly had to face many challenges in my life and challenges that have been the hardest I have ever had to overcome but I have overcome these challenges and achieved more than I ever dreamed could be possible.
I was at rock bottom, survived DV, started my own business and wrote a book that has been successful and been accepted into 15 schools and a public library and had my story and affirmations told through books and magazines, these are amazing accomplishments and ones I would love to be recognised for.
A lot of my life I have been bullied, controlled, manipulated and put down; I have had to pick myself up from being at rock bottom to find skills and ways to market products in a cosmetic business to now running my own business and being an author of a book.
Receiving this award would show all of these achievements to many who do not know me and shine light on me as a person and a business and one that is proud to be South Australian.
I am a Woman to Watch in 2024 because I can show that you can come from rock bottom, be a survivor of DV and still achieve. I never gave up, I kept strong and empowered and I believed in myself and my values. I am here to say that I now have a voice, a voice to say that yes, I AM the Woman to Watch in 2024 and I am shining bright like a star!!!
I want you to know that it does not always have to be someone who is earning millions in business to stand out and be successful, it can be someone who just wants to have a voice and be heard, be running a small business and writing a book that is benefiting so many, both in schools and in other ways that can stand out too. I am who I am because I finally believed in myself that I could do it and that I am amazing. Helping others in life is my goal in life, helping women and girls know they are amazing, and they do matter, and they can be anything, and shining a light on causes that many deal with on a daily basis, lighting the way to a better world.
// If you could share one takeaway from your business or career, what would it be?
I would say, step out of your comfort zone, take that leap, that opportunity, you never know where it may take you or lead you to.
// What would you like to see for the future of South Australian women and girls?
Growing up going through school, I was bullied and picked on, there was nothing or no one I could turn to, to help me with these challenges, who is there to help you in school, if someone starts a fight or you are being bullied, things do not always happen in the main grounds where people can see.
I would like to see more being taught about the effects of bullying, what it does to someone and what affects it has on someone’s life even after they leave school and go into adulthood, it can still affect them years and years down the track, if not for life. I do not think kids are aware enough and more needs to be done to shine light on these sorts of challenges especially with the pressures of mobile phones, videoing and social media.
I would love some self-love classes where affirmations could be shared and talked about, and problems of students be talked about so girls can be happier in school with no or less bullying or pressures so they can live more confident and be happier within themselves. It is so easy to get down on ourselves especially with girls.
I feel more needs to be talked about with violence against women, giving women guidance if ever put into situations of abuse through a relationship or marriage. When I married, I did not even know that men could be abusive in so many ways, financial, emotional, sexual and the main one, physical, it is not just physical abuse, other forms of abuse also fall under the category of abuse. I was not told that men could be narcissistic and be controlling and manipulative.
Knowing more about these topics could help save a life one day, we already have too many women being killed from Domestic Violence. If we can find ways to help combat this, we can help save other women from the same fate as those who are killed by abuse. Perhaps selected women who have experienced domestic violence or bullying could come into schools and talk about these topics. Often survivors of domestic violence are much stronger and more empowered after their experience and want to share messages and shine light to help other women. I am very passionate about these topics having suffered DV myself and bullying and I want to give women and girls the best chance they can have by equipping them with the knowledge to know when something isn’t right.
Get in touch with Kristen:
Instagram: @oneoffcarddesigns
Check out all of the incredible Women to Watch for 2024 here as their profiles are uploaded throughout the year.
To become an SA Woman Member, check out our Membership Options here.